Blogger: Rachel Kent
Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Does your book involve a topic that certain groups of people might be interested in? For example, two Books & Such clients have novellas releasing in a collection called A Log Cabin Christmas Collection. Through a little online research, one of the authors found a log cabin society so she plans to send a note to the society when the book releases.
Another Books & Such client has historical books releasing that are set in a town that still exists today. She has visited the town and has done on-site publicity for her books. In this case, the town is one interest group. I don’t know about you, but I love finding books set where I live! Francine Rivers and Lori Wick both have books set in and around Santa Rosa, and I enjoyed reading them very much.
So here is my marketing suggestion for you: Take a close look at your book. List the main topics, settings, and themes. Do some online research to locate interest groups relating to any of those items. Put together a different letter for each group, emphasizing the connection between your book and that group.
Cost: Time and possibly postage if you can’t email your letter.
Rewards: Getting news of your book to people who have something in common with the story or topic.
Take it to the next level: Offer to do a Skype interview with the group or offer to send bookmarks or signed bookplates. Think of some way to personalize the note you are sending to encourage book sales and exposure.
So, what interest groups are out there that might be interested in your book or work-in-progress?
What wonderful ideas you have this week, Rachel!
Since I reside in God’s country (the beautiful Missouri Ozarks–and very near a MAJOR tourist destination) here’s one piece of my marketing plan: have bio sheets, newsletters, bookmarks, and magnets printed/made prior to my book’s release. I’ll then enlist my wonderful family to help stuff “goodie bags” and assist in delivering them to various venues where literally thousands of tourists visit each year. We are a receptive bunch where I’m from, and we love helping our neighbors. And visitors/tourists LOVE taking home souvenirs especially when they’re FREE.
Time=Minimal (if I enlist friends/family to help stuff bags and deliver)
Cost=Less than two or three family dinners at an upscale restaurant.
Reward=Major coverage/publicity to THOUSANDS without ever having to leave my own neck of the woods!
Write on!
I forgot to mention that my series’ setting IS the Ozarks, so my friends and neighbors who reside here would be a great target group. : )
I appreciate how you are breaking down each of these marketing strategies this week, Rachel.
I need to do some more research, but I would look for book clubs geared towards studying non-fiction on authentically living out faith. I’d also search for bible study/support groups focused on my topic(s).
This one is tough for a fantasy author.
It’s interesting, though. I suppose if you gave it thought before you wrote the book, you might include things that would interest certain groups.
I guess if movie makers can put Coke and Corvettes in their movies and be paid for it, writers could put in things that would attract special interest groups into their novels. Why not?
Excellent, excellent advice. As a fantasy writer, I am an active member of a Christian sci-fi/fantasy forum along with a participant in the CSFF blog tour (Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy) and actively comment at Speculative Fiction.
If you’re not into the weird (like me ;p) there are some other great sites. If you write for mom’s, babycenter.com has a great forum. If you write about life in ministry from the perspective of a pastor’s wife, there are some great forums out there for you.
If you show yourself to be an active, polite, engaging participant in forums, or blogs, or sites geared towards your topic, eventually people know your name. And you can begin doing this as an unpublished author.
So true!
I’ve been thinking a lot from the marketing standpoint concerning my latest finished book. It’s about the Kindertransport, so I was thinking how awesome it would be to attend the annual Kinder gatherings in America and England. I know on the 70th anniversary (Dec. 2008) of when England decided to take the Jewish refugee children, there was a huge celebration in England and I’ve thought how wonderful it would be to attend the 75th anniversary in 2013. I’d have stacks of books to sign and sell along with bookmarks and postcards to give away.
Seeing as the book has bits of WWII history from the Jewish refugee point of view, I’d also like to do signings at Holocaust museums, WWII museums, etc. As well as speak at local high schools in History and English classes.
Ah, I could go on and on, but those are a few of my ideas. 🙂
Anotehr excellent post, Rachel. At first I read the title as Internet Group Marketing. Whoops!
I’m targeting Sunday school programs and Christian schools because my book, Little Shepherd, retells the Christmas story from the POV of a 5-year-old shepherd in the fields outside Bethlehem on the night of Christ’s birth.
Cynthia, I would love to live in the Ozarks. Beatiful place.
Thanks again for the great posts this week, Rachel.
As a Sunday school teacher I am always looking for new ways to share familiar Bible stories. My book tells that story from a child’s perspective, so it seems ideal for those markets. It has, however, presented a challenge when I visit public schools because I can’t talk about it much.
I have long thought that publishers are missing a major marketing opportunity by not marketing fiction in regards to where the book is set. So that means it’s up to us … and my efforts in this regard have always been met with smiles. I’m looking forward to reaching out to quilt lovers when my next novel (The Key on the Quilt) releases next year.
Rachel,
Great posts this week. Lots to think about..great suggestions. Definitely the time to create a marketing plan is before a book is released. I’m assuming that is true with any “product” though.
When I decided to open a tea room, my accountant happened to be a fantastic business adviser also. He suggested I read “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber. Writing my business plan included a marketing plan. This is one of the best writing exercises I ever completed.
This is a great series, Rachel! It’s cool getting and giving tips amongst one another.
You could see about what local media is available where your book is set; for example, there might be a local PBS station that has a show dedicated to local writers or books about the region. Also try contacting the Arts & Entertainment reporters for newspapers where your book is set; you might get an interview! This I know first-hand from my journalist friends, who always like it when someone brings a story to THEM instead of having to do any work and look for one 🙂
I find it quite interesting that the first person to comment on this post is from the area my March 2012 release is set in. I obviously should get Cynthia involved!
Because Rainbow’s End (a 4-novella anthology from Barbour written with Cara Putman, Annalisa Daughety, and Nicole O’Dell) has geocaching themes, we’re also planning to target geocaching groups in Missouri and elsewhere.